Harriet almost pitied the man. Almost. “Mr. Silverstone, Mr. Picknard, I’m so sorry you wasted your time this evening.”

Mother nodded, her white hair shimmering softly in the light. “I hate to see you leave so quickly. Perhaps you would like to stay for some port? My oldest son could—”

“Thank you, but no,” Mr. Silverstone said. “I apologize again for interrupting your evening. We will see you in a week when the payment is due.” He sent a glare at Gower. “Well, sir. Are you ready to leave?”

For a moment, Harriet thought that Gower would argue, but he gave a sharp nod instead and stepped back to allow the two older men access to the doorway.

Mother and Sophia led the way out into the hall, Silverstone and Picknard following close behind. Gower remained in the center of the room, his eyes narrowed on Chase.

Chase, of course, didn’t back away. Instead, he stepped forward until the two were almost toe to toe.

Harriet sighed. They looked like two rams, blowing steam out their nostrils as they circled one another in a field. “Mr. Gower—please. I think you’ve done quite enough tonight without—”

Chase waved a hand. “Beloved, allow the man to speak. I can tell he has something of great import to say to us both.”

Gower had stiffened at Chase’s endearment. His jaw tightened and he said through clenched teeth, “I do not know who you are, but you are not Captain Frakenham.”

Harriet managed a pleasant smile, though she felt far from such a thing. “Mr. Gower, I’m certain that in time all of this will—”

“Listen, Gower,” Chase said. “I don’t know what you hope to gain by this, but leave the Wards alone. If your complaint is with me, then we will settle it as men.”

Harriet closed her eyes. Didn’t Chase realize that her future, the future of the Wards, the future of Garrett Park, quite possibly rested in this man’s hands?

She sneaked a peek at Gower, her shoulders slumping when she saw that his hands had tightened into fists.

“You, sir, are a charlatan. And I will not rest until I discover who and what you are.”

Chase’s smile was not pleasant. “Try your damnedest, Gower. Just do not be surprised if what you find is not to your liking.”

Harriet tried to intercede once again. “Mr. Gower, please excuse the captain. He’s just a little upset about the allegations—”

“I am not upset at all,” Chase said smoothly. “In fact, I welcome the challenge. Gower, feel free to investigate me in any manner at your disposal. I have nothing to hide and I wish you the best of fortune in discovering exactly who and what I am.”

Gower’s neck was by then as reddish as his face. “Be careful what you wish for or you may well get it.”

With that, he turned on his heel and stomped from the room, stopping only to give Harriet a scathing look.